Barafundle Bay: The Most Beautiful Beach in Wales (That You Have to Earn)

Some call it the most beautiful beach in Wales, and others dare to compare it to the Caribbean. This hidden paradise in southern Wales sounds like an unparalleled paradise and makes you wonder why more Brits don’t spend their summer holidays here. Better yet, why has nobody living outside of the UK heard about this spot?

I chose to spend my entire summer in the UK, so I decided to drive from Romania to the UK and take a super-long road trip. The south of Wales was my first destination. During my month in Pembrokeshire, I discovered this gorgeous spot.

Barafundle Bay isn’t a tropical paradise, but on a sunny day with no wind, it’s one of the best spots to spend your time if you’re in the southern Wales area. 

Well, unlike others, I have visited Barafundle Bay on both sunny and cloudy days, run along it with my dog, and taken pictures from all sides. As a nature lover, responsible traveller and dog owner, I can give you my perspective. Here’s what they don’t say about this gorgeous bay.

If you are planning a trip in the area and you are not from the UK, make sure to read my guide on how to drive in the UK, as you will need a heads-up before driving there or renting a car.

What makes Barafundle Bay special

My 13-year-old Bichon ran on this beach like he was a puppy again.

As a truly dog-friendly beach, plus the fact that it’s one of the best beaches around this part of Wales, I believe the hype is worth it.

I included Barafundle Bay in my list of the best dog-friendly beaches in Pembrokeshire, and it takes first place.

And secretly, I love that it’s not connected to any road or parking, because it prevents everyone from reaching it, and that’s what makes it so special. 

All those who come here truly want to be here and respect the nature and others around them. They are not bothered by dogs running around or children having fun. 

The crowds don’t come here. 

I might be wrong, and I might not have seen the crowds because I decided to visit at Golden Hour, but Barafundle Bay is a dog-friendly, no-parking, less accessible beach that welcomes true nature lovers and keeps away crowds. 

Barafundle is just one of the stunning places to visit in Pembrokeshire.

What Barafundle Bay is actually like

The UK is on a huge island and is often defined by its coastline. Therefore, the constant lookout for the best beaches in the UK is a national obsession.

I truly get it, as sunny days aren’t a normal occurrence around here, and what’s the point in having thousands of miles of gorgeous coastline if the wind and constant ocean spray are right up in your face?

Each country of the UK offers unparalleled views on at least one of its coasts, and southern Wales has the perfect positioning for south-facing beaches. 

Barafundle Bay is perfectly located to tick all the boxes, get all the sun and best views, and all it needs is a sunny day. And when all these conditions are met- the lack of wind gusts, clouds and rain- the sun can finally reach the bay and the few lucky ones who have seen it call Barafundle Bay one of the best beaches in the UK. 

But I will be completely honest and transparent with you. Because you deserve it and since this spot isn’t exactly easy to reach, you need to know all the details before committing to this trip. 

The water is blue, but I wouldn’t necessarily call it “turquoise water”. The white sand is indeed very fine and is perfect for a barefoot walk on the beach. The cliffs around the bay are dramatic, and you’ll never get tired of taking the same pictures over and over again. 

And get this, even on sunny days, there aren’t crowds around (some people will always be around), so I don’t consider this a massive touristy point. 

But this also means there are no toilets, no shops, no cafes, nothing. There is no infrastructure; it’s just the wild nature, tucked between massive cliffs, and you’ll walk down to a gorgeous bay unlike anything you’ll see again in the United Kingdom. 

One other thing I love about it is that many tourists don’t end up here, because there’s a 20-min walk from the parking spot to the bay and it requires some effort. Many simply visit places like Tenby and stick to those beaches (also gorgeous spots, just different). 

Facilities at Barafundle Bay

• Facilities at beach: none
• Facilities at car park: toilets, café, NT information
• Dogs: yes, year-round
• Swimming: yes, no lifeguard
• Nearest town: Pembroke (15 min drive)
• Accessibility: not wheelchair accessible due to steps

Where exactly is Barafundle Bay

• Location: south Pembrokeshire, near Stackpole, between Pembroke and the limestone coast
• Nearest towns: Pembroke (6 miles), Tenby (10 miles)
• It’s inside the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Here’s the map of the Bay, the parking spot and the viewpoints around Barafundle Bay: 

How to get to Barafundle Bay (+ the parking situation)

You can reach Barafundle Bay by driving up to Stackpole Quay (National Trust car park) and then hiking for about 20 minutes (follow the signs). 

This is one of the most searched questions about it, so give it proper space

• You cannot park at the beach (there is no road to it; you’ll have to walk from the parking)
• Park at Stackpole Quay Car Park (National Trust car park) – Here is the Google Map location for parking
• Cost: ~£7-8 all day, free for NT members
• Note: gets full on sunny summer weekends (arrive before 10 am or after 4 pm)

I know I keep saying you need to drive here and there, but driving to Barafundle Bay is no joke, and that narrow and winding road is the essence of the rural side of Wales. I wrote a detailed guide about what it’s like to drive in the UK, and it includes a section about driving in Pembrokeshire, which I think is of great help to anyone planning a trip there. Go and read that now!

The walk from Stackpole Quay to Barafundle Bay

• Distance to Barafundle Bay beach from parking: about 0.7 miles / 15-20 min walk

From the car park, follow the coastal path over the headland. When you reach the first bay, right after the cafe and toilets, go right. It’s a set of stairs; that’s the path. 

These first steep steps might be an uncomfortable climb for some, but people of all ages were going up and down, and also lots of dogs. I believe the steps are very accessible, and after that it’s an easy coastal trail walk with gorgeous views over the sea up until you reach Barafundle Bay. 

The first view of Barafundle Bay is extraordinary as you will see it from the clifftop. 

The trail is on the grass; I wore sandals, and it can be done even in almost any kind og shoes that you feel comfortable in. Just know that there are steep steps to climb, and then you’ll need to go down other stone steps which can become slippery to actually reach the beach. 

Is Barafundle Bay dog friendly?

Yes, dogs are welcome year-round (no seasonal restrictions unlike many Pembrokeshire beaches).

Remember, this is a farm field, and you’ll see signs to keep your dog on a lead because you might encounter animals. Also, it could be dangerous to leave your dog running around closer to the edge of the cliffs. 

However, you can let your dog run free on Barafundle Beach, as I did (and he enjoyed it so much).

My dog had just turned 13 years old that day, and he loved his birthday surprise so much that he started running all around the beach (he rarely does that, so that’s a clear sign he loved it). 

Day trip itinerary around Barafundle Bay (what to see around Barafundle)

If you are planning a trip to visit Barafundle Bay, then turn this trip into a complete day trip exploring the surrounding area. I discovered many beautiful spots around, just a few minutes’ drive away. 

The area around Barafundle Bay is part of the Stackpole Estate, a National Trust property with several remarkable spots within a short drive or walk of each other. If you’re making the trip, it would be a shame not to combine a few of them into a full day.

Stop 1: Broad Haven South

Walk back along the coast path from Barafundle Bay and continue for another 20 minutes to reach Broad Haven South beach, which is a wider, more exposed beach that feels even wilder than Barafundle. 

There are no facilities here either, and the dunes behind the beach are part of the Stackpole Estate’s protected landscape. It’s quieter than Barafundle and worth the extra walk if you have the energy.

However, you don’t have to do this walk if you don’t feel like it, because you can drive to this beach. 

Stackpole Estate Woodland Walks

The same car park at Stackpole Quay gives access to the Estate’s woodland and pond trails. 

These are flat, easy walks through ancient oak woodland following the edges of the lily ponds. This part is good for a gentle stretch after the beach, and one of the few genuinely dog-friendly walking options in the area that doesn’t involve steep cliff paths.

Stop 2: Bosherston Lily Ponds

A 10-minute drive from the Stackpole Quay car park, the Bosherston Lily Ponds are one of the most peaceful spots in all of Pembrokeshire. 

Three interconnected man-made lakes fill with white water lilies in late spring and early summer, and the circular walk around them takes about an hour. 

Stop 3: St Govan’s Chapel + Green Bridge of Wales

A further 15-minute drive south brings you to two of the most dramatic and unusual sites on the entire Pembrokeshire coast. 

St Govan’s Chapel is a tiny 6th-century hermit chapel wedged into a crack in the limestone cliff. 

You have to descend 52 steps to reach it and the sea. The Green Bridge of Wales is one of the finest natural arches in the UK, a short walk away along the limestone headland. 

I wrote a detailed guide on how to visit the Green Bridge of Wales (and all these places around it), and included specific information about parking, times to visit, where to check if it’s open and everything else you need to know.

Note that road access to the Green Bridge is restricted to weekends and bank holidays only because it runs through the Castlemartin military firing range, which is closed to the public on weekdays. So plan accordingly. 

Recommended day trip itinerary to include Barafundle Bay:

Start the day at the Green Bridge of Wales and St Govan’s Chapel. 

Both are best visited in the morning when the light hits the limestone coast directly. The Green Bridge road is only accessible on weekends and bank holidays, so plan this as a weekend day trip. 

Drive to St Govan’s Chapel first thing, descend the 52 steps to the chapel wedged into the cliff (legend has it you can never count the same number twice), then continue along the headland to the Green Bridge of Wales (one of the finest natural arches in the UK). By late morning, the light starts to fall behind the arch, so arriving early makes a real difference for photography. 

From there, drive 15 minutes north to Bosherston Lily Ponds. There’s paid parking here and a café nearby for a late morning coffee or lunch. 

The circular walk around the three lily pond lakes takes about an hour (flat, easy, and very dog-friendly). Midway through the walk, you’ll reach Broad Haven South beach, which sits at the far end of the ponds. Take a detour down to the beach, spend some time there, and then continue the walk back to the car park.

After the ponds, drive to Stackpole Quay (a 10-minute drive) and walk down to Barafundle Bay for the afternoon. Arriving after midday means the morning crowds have thinned, and the bay stays beautiful into the evening.

The whole loop covers less than 10 miles of driving and gives you a genuinely complete picture of the south Pembrokeshire limestone coast in a single day.

Best time to visit Barafundle Bay

Barafundle Bay is beautiful year-round, but if you’re visiting for the turquoise water and white sand combination, May through September is best. You’ll also need sunshine to get that colour of the water. 

In winter, the beach is wilder and more atmospheric, but the water will look grey rather than blue (still worth visiting, just a different experience).

For the time of day, morning is the best window. The beach faces roughly east, which means it catches the best light early, and it’s also at its quietest before midday in summer. 

If you arrive by 9 am in July or August, you’ll have it almost to yourself. Golden hour in the evening also works well for warm light on the sand and cliffs, and most people will be gone by that point.

Tides don’t dramatically change access to Barafundle the way they do at some beaches, but low tide gives you significantly more sand and makes the bay feel even more expansive.

Remember that the turquoise colour only appears in direct sunlight. 

On an overcast day, the water is a darker blue-grey, which is still beautiful, still worth the walk, but it won’t look like the photos. 

Wales is Wales, and the weather is unpredictable even in summer. But I believe this entire area is beautiful, and as long as it’s not raining, you will have a lovely time exploring this part of the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, just like I did during my month spent in South Pembrokeshire.

Practical information to plan a trip to Barafundle Bay

Where to stay near Barafundle Bay?

I’d recommend staying inPembroke or Pembroke Dock, so you can use it as a base to explore more attractions along the Pembrokeshire coastline. If the weather is on your side, you can spend at least a week here and still not get bored. 

A wonderfully located, dog-friendly place to stay is Holyland House. It’s just about 2 km from Pembroke Castle, which is in the centre of Pembroke. 

If you’d prefer to stay in Pembroke Dock (a larger town), then I’d suggest Lakeland Guest House, which offers multiple rooms, a great location, is dog-friendly and has plenty of pubs around.

Safety before anything else

This is a nature trip, and I recommend getting travel insurance before heading to this location. I use Heymondo (covers medical, baggage and travel disruption). Get a travel insurance quote for this trip to Wales here (you’ll get 5% off). 

Do you need to drive in Wales? 

Yes, you’ll need to drive if you want to explore all the gorgeous coastal bays and beaches in the south of Wales, including Barafundle Bay. Check out my guide on driving in the UK as a foreigner before you do anything else. For car rentals, I recommend comparing all rental prices on DiscoverCars.